Can-labeling machine



May 10, 1927- c. H. WILD CANVLABELING MACHINE Filed Aug. 26, 192'4 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 1o, 1927.`

c. H. w|| D CAN LABELING MAGHINE Filed Aug. 26. 1924 9 sheets-sheet. 2

May 1o, 1927.

C. H. WILD CAN LABELING MAQHINEl l V .(0%- m mmw 1,627,946 May 10 1927. C. H WILD CAN LABELING MACHINE Filed Aug. 26, 1924 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 1,627,946 May 10 1927. c H. wil-Dl CAN LABELING MACHINE atto 1 und 1,627,946 May w 9 E92?" c. H, waLD CAN LABELING MACHINE @www - 1,627,946 May 10 1927 c. H. wlLD CAN LABELING MACHINE Filed Aug. 26. 1924 s sheets--sheet4 '7 1927. 'May' 10 c. H. WILD GAN LABELING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Aug. 26, 1924 M QZTC.

@y 9 c. H. WILD CAN LABELING MACHNE Filed Ausz, 26. 1924 9 Sheets-SheetL 9 ung Patented May 10, 19.27,

UNITED STATES CHARLES H.

WILD, F BALTIMORE, IABYLAND, lABSIGNOE T BUBT IACHINE COI- PANY, INCORPORATED, A CORPORATION 01|' MARYLAND.

CAN-'LABELING HACHINE.

Application med August 26, 1984.- Serial 4llo.' 784,100.

In the operation of can labeling` machines where various commodities are packed and cans of Iseveral different sizes are used, frequent adjustments are necessary as to the 5 spacing of the can feeding belt'from the ways on account of the variation in the diameter ofthe cans and corresponding adjustments of the lap pasting mechanism are also necessary on account of the variation in the length l0 of the labels and adjustment of the position of the cement or glue pot is necessary on account of the Variation in the circumference LA of the cans.

In further explanation it may be said that '15 the labels being picked up by a spot of gluey on the outside of each can, the distance from (he point at which the cans are spotted to the label table must be varied to suit the circumference of the cans being treated in order that the spot of flue or cement oneach can ma contact the la l at a point near the end an pick the label up in due course; and

on account of the variation in length of the labels consequent to the varia-tion in circumference of the cans, the position of the label asting mechanism relatlvely to the centre of the label table must be changed as the size of the cans andfadljustment of the feed belt arechanged in order that the lap pasting melchanism may contact the labels at the lap en s.

As the adjustment of the belt involves the adjustment of the uprightssupporting the respective belt pulleys at both ends of the machine, there are at least four adjustments to be made each time there is a change from the labeling of cans of `one dia-meter to the labeling of cans of a different diameter.

One of the objects of the present invention is to assemble or connect the various adjustments under and to a single control, sox that the desired changes may be made by means of a single crank or hand-wheel, or by any suitable control. My invention, however, contemplates the grouping of these adjustments in various combinations as may be desired.

My invention further relates to a label feed particularly adapted to canI labeling machines. Machines of this eneral ty e have been previously constructeg with a label feed operated bythe cans. In this-type of machine the label feeding. device lncludes a linger which projects into thev pathv of the .55 cans and is moved by the cans as they pass,

the label feed being in this way controlled by the cans, and actuated thereby either dlrectl or indirectly. The present device is more ogical in itsarran ment and exact in its operation in that 1t isl directly con- 6u trolledby the height of the pack of labels. In accordance with the present ractce, the lap ends of the labels are placed) in condition to closely engage the cans by means of a curler bar which extends' transversely of the machine andengages each label on what mayl be termed the inside surface adjacent the lap end. The curler bar is'mounted to move u and down, and'it rests on the top label. he labels are taken up b the cans one at a time from the pack an the ends are pulled from beneath the curler, giving them abend or curl correspondin to the curvature of the outer surfaces of t e corre-1 sponding cans, so that they tend to lie closely against the sides of the cans when finally secured in position. The position of the curler necessarily corresponds to the position of the top label m the pack, the labels being com ressed to a considerable extent, and the labe `feed or label table feed is connected to and controlledby the osition of the label curler. In this Way t e o ration of the device is, improved and ma e .more directly responsive t'o the element controlled, i. e., the position of the top label in the pack. The label feed also comprises a lpawl which is'oscillated continuously bymeans of a rotary memberactuated from and by the machine drive, the operation of the awl being eiective or ineffective to move t e labels in accordance withthe position of the label The invention also relates to the design and construction of ,the label curling bar, giving it several-.alternative label-engaging surfaces .and wearing, surfaces. AAlso the curler surface is slotted or grooved transversely, preventin 'complete removal of the paste from the la l bythe bar.

The cans are spotted with cement or paste by means of rollers over which the cans pass on the Ways, which rollers dip in the pot of cement or glue which is maintained in a liquid condition by heating; One feature of the invention relates 'to t e control of the level of the liquid cement in the pot, at the same time mamtaining a reserve supply of material. This is accomplished by means of a reservoir at one side of the machine hav- 110 ing a comparatively large area in a horizontal plane, forming a receptacle in which the hard cement may be placed. As it 1s undesirable to have the shaft submerged, this receptaclehas its top edges on a level with or below the paste roller shaft, preventing the application of an excess of glue to the cans. The cement is normally solid or semi-solid and becomes liquid when heated and if an excess is placed in. the reservoir, it will .overflow at this point instead of causing the liquid to rise above the level of the shaft of the glue-spotting rolls. The reservoir is connected with the glue pot by a narrow slot which prevents passage to the rolls of any of the particles of solid unmelted glue or cement.

Itinot infrequently happens that the labels l as furnished are as a whole irregularly cut or irregularly printed the printing not being in line with the edges of the labels. To bring the print into the desired position in relation to the ed es of the cans, an adjustment of the labe guides relatively to the ways is desirable. In the present instance I have provided an adjustment of each guide relatively to the other, also providing for adjustment by the same mechanism of both guides laterally at either or both ends so that when the desired spacing has been attained, the angle of the guides may be changed to suit the printing without changing their relation to each other.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated the various parts and features of a can labeling machine embodying my invention in the preferred form.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the delivery end of the machine.

Figure 2 is an elevation taken from the same side, showing the receiving or feed end of the machine.

Figure 3 is'a top plan view of the delivery end of the machine.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the feeding or receiving end of the machine.

Figure 5 is a side elevation taken from the side of the machine adjacent the observer in all of the above-mentioned iigures, i. e., the left side of the machine looking at the same in the direction of the feed, showing the label feeding mechanism.

Figure 6 is an elevation of the label feeding mechanism taken from the right of the same as seen in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a section on the line 7, 7 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a section through the glue pot on line 8, 8, Figure 9.

Figure 9 is a plan of the glue pot reservoir, etc.

Figure 10 is a section of the same on thel line 10, 10 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is an elevation of the curler preferred form form of curler in accordance with my invention; and

Figure 16 is a section through the same on the line 16, 16 of Figure 15. A

Figure 17 is a transverse section on' the line 17, 17, Figure 1.

Figure 18 is a plan of the label table and surrounding parts, reading from the side of the machine opposite to that from which Figures 3 and 4 are taken.

Figure 19 is a section on the line 19, 19 of Figure 18.

Figure.20 is an elevation, looking at the same portion of the machine as shown in Figure 19 from the front.

Figure 21 is an elevation of the curler bar mechanism and a portion of the label table, looking from the side remote from the observer in Figure 18.

Figure 22 is a section on the line 22, 22, Fig. 21, looking in the direction of the arrow in that figure.

Figure 23 is an elevation showing the belt presser, the same being taken from the same point as Figure 21.

Fig. 23 is a section on line 23', 23', Fig. 23.

Figure 24 is an enlarged view in the nature of a section on the line 24, 24, Figure 18, showing the manner of supporting the end of a label guide on the adjusting screws. Referring to the drawings by numerals, each of which designates the same or similar parts in the different figures; the machine as shown includes two parallel longitudinal side frame members ,or beams 1 and 2 eX- tending practically from one end of the machine to the other and supported on a suitable pedestal or leg structure 3. The various operative elements of the machine are mounted on the beams 1 and 2.

In the labeling operation the cans are passed through the machine from right to left of the machine, 'as seen in Figures 1 to 4. As the operator stands on the side of the machine 'remote from the observer in these figures, and therefore faces in a direction opposite to that of the observer in these iguresthe direction of traverse of the cans might properly be referred to as from left to right. However, the description of this operation, so far as such description is necessary,`will relate to the machine as seen in the drawings, in which view of the machine j the cans pass from right to left.

6, shown in plan in Figures 3 and 4, are s 7 and` supported upon and run over pulle 8 at the opposite ends of the mac me, the pulleys being supported upon brackets 9 and 10 secured to the beamsv 1 and 2. As shown, each of the brackets 9 and 1() has a base portion 12 enclosing the corresponding beam 1. 2,'the bracket being preferably secured to the beam by means of a set screw 13, so that the brackets may be adjusted from time to time to take up the slack of the belt or for other purposes.

In the form of the machine shown and in accordance with the preferred form of the invention, each of the brackets 9 and 10 is provided with a vertical xf ,ruide 14 which carries an upright 15 mounted to slide vertically. in said bearing. The upright 15 carries at its upper end a suitable bearing member 16 for the pulley shafts 17 and 17, and the lower portion of the uprights 15 is provided for five or six inches of its length or moreA in proportion to the extent ofthe adjustability desired with rack teeth 18 .engaged by a pinion 19 on'a transverse shaft 2O or 20 at the respective endsof this machine, shown as cut in the shaft which is supported in a suitable bearing in a depending arm 21 of the brackets 9 and 10, respectively.

The shaft 17 is drivenfrom any suitable source of power, as electric motor 170', which carries bevelled gearing not shown, mounted in casing 171 Ion the motor frame, which gearing drives immediately the short shaft 172 mounted in the Casin 171 and connected by universal joint 1 3 tothe square outer member 4174 of telescoping shaft 175', which with the universal joints com ensates the various adjustments of the sha t 17 and the pulley 7. The outer member 17 4 carries an inner member in the form of a square rod 176', which fits the outer member 174 and slides longitudinally relatively thereto, and turns therewith. This inner member`176 is connected by universal joint 177 with a short shaft 178 mounted in a bevelled gear casing 179' on the shaft 17, the shaft 178 having mounted on its inner end a bevel Apinion 180 shown as a splral pm1on','and meshing with a corresponding bevel gear 181 secured to the shaft 17.

To reduce the multiplicity of adjustments incident to treating cans of different diameters and particularly to changing the machine from the adjustment appropriate to -one diameter of cans to the adjustment ap* propriate to the treatment of cans of a different diameter, I have connected the shafts 20, 20 dat each end ofthe machine by suitable gearing,so that by rotation of one of Athe shafts 20, 20 which causes the pinionJ 10 on s aid shaft to en moving the rack and pulley shaft and pul- "age the rack teeth 18 *leys carried thereby up or down to adinet the. position of the belt, the correspon ing shaft 20, 20 at the other end of the machine -will be rotated, im arting a similar and equal motion to the s aft v17 and belt pulleys and belt at ythe opposite end of tbcl 'j machine. j

-In the form of the invention illustrated a toothed sprocket 23, 23 is mounted -on and rigidly secured to each of the pinion shafts 20, 20 at the opposite ends of the machine, and the sprocket at each end is engaged by a'suitablechain or sprocket chain 24.' As the rotation of the shafts 20` 20 providing for the adjustment of the belt consistsv in but a few .turns at the most, first in one drection and then the other direction as the belt is moved up and down, and the span 4from one shaft 20 to the other is of considerable extent, as shown, a short piece of chain 24 at each end of the machine extends around .the toothed sprocket .and beyond the point of engagement with the Same for l a few. inches at each end of the chain, the corresponding ends of the chain being con# nected by crossed tension rods 25 and 26 which give the effect. of a crossed belt or chain, so that when one shaft is rotated either in a righthanded or lefthanded direction, the corresponding -shaft at the other end ofthe machine is rotated through a similar arc in the opposite direction, one right-handed and the other Vleft-handed. The insertion of the cross rods 25 to 26 in the chain not only reduces the expense incident to providing a chain which would extendthe entire length of the machine, but reduces the back lash incident to a, similar unsupported length of iexible chain,l causing the driven shaft to respond immediate- `ly to the rotation o'f the driving shaft, maintaining a constant relation between the respective adjustments'of the belt and belt pulleys at the opposite ends of the marchine, so that when the chain is properly connected, the adjustment ofthe beltsand pulleys at the feed end of the machine is almost exactly equal and similar'to the corresponding adjustment of the belts and pulleys at the delivery end of the machine.

' lt will be easily understood, as previously outlined, that the position of the cement spottingrollers by which cement is placed on the cans for the purpose of picking up' the labels and the position of the paste applying belt which coats the lap ends of the labels, should bechanged to correspond to and'with each adjustment ofthe belt, in

other words, to correspond to the diameter of the cans being handled.

In accordance with the present invention the machine is so devised and arranged as to perform the adjustment of the ca n spotting rolls and the lap pasting belt simultaneously and conjointly with the adjustment of the feed belt. To this end the paste pot 28 and lap pasting belt 29 are mounted to `slide longitudinally of the machine on sliding carriers 30 and 31 which engage thc side frame members 1 and 2, respectively.

The carrier members 31 enclose the side frames 1 and the carrier members 30 are povided with washes 32 secured to the carf arm being provided with a boss 36 at the other end, which boss is fastened to the carf rier member 31 by means of a bolt 37. The

lap pasting belt 29 is driven by pulley 38 mounted to slide on a horizontal shaft 39 to which it is keyed, the key slot being' shown at 40 in Figure 1.

In the form of the-invention shown the pulley 39 is provided with a hub grooved at 41, and this groove is engaged by a hook 42, see Figure 3, secured tothe upright 44 on the carrier 31 by means of a screw 45 engaging the slot 46. The shaft 39 is driven in rotation by means of a bevelled gear v secured to the shaft and a corresponding bevelled gear 56 intermeshing therewith and carried on a stud 57 at right angles to the shaft, said bevelled gear being rigidly connected to a pulley 58 which is driven by a belt 59 which is in turn driven by a pulley 60 on the shaft 17 at the feed end of the machine, see Figure 4. The carriage 34 also carries the' pad 51 and way 52, suitably mounted to slide on frames 1, 2.

To perform the automatic adjustment referred to, the carriage 34 is provided with a rack 47 which extends in the direction of the feed, i. e., longitudinally of the machine. This rack is engaged by a toothed gear 48 on the shaft 20 at the delivery end of the machine, i. e., at the left in Figure 1. The shaft 20 is provided with a handwheel 50 shown in plan in Figure 3, and it is apparent that on rotation of the shaft 20 by means of the hand-wheel or otherwise, not only will the feed belt be moved up and down to provide for the engagement of cans of different diameters, but the lap pasting belt carriage with the paste pot and pulley will be moved longitudinally of the machine in a ratio and' direction which can be made to correspond to the adjustment of the feed belt.

In order to vary the adjustment of these parts, the rack 47 may be adjusted relatively to the carriage 34. It is hollowed out longitudinally and threaded to receive or otherwise provided with a longitudinal feed screw 80 having a hand wheel 81 at one end and having a swivel for engagement with bracket 82 depending from the carriage 34 at the other-end By rotation of the screw 80, the carriage 34 with the lap pasting mechanism is moved relatively to the rack 47.

In adapting the machine for use in labeling cans of different diameters, it is, as already pointed out, necessary to move the cement spotting appliance or glue pot as distinguished from the lap pasting' mechanisrn, along the ways, i. e., in the direction of the feed as the circumference 0f the cans` being treated varies. As the distance of the cement or glue spotting devicefrom the ends of the labels which are picked up by the cans must obviously correspond to the circumference of the cans.

To this end the glue or cement pot which is mounted on a suitable support 66 to slide on the longitudinal beams 1, is provided with a longitudinally extending rack 67, which, as shown, is adjustably connected to the glue pot at one end at 68 and extends to the right of the machine, as seen in Figure 2, projecting beyond the beams in the direction of the intake or receiving end of the machine. The rack 67 is engaged by a toothed gear 68 mounted on a shaft 20 at the feed end of the machine, which, as already pointed out, is driven from the chain 24, 25, 26 from the gear 23 on the shaft 20 at the delivery end of the machine. It is obvious, in view of the construction described, that yon rotation of the vhand-wheel 50 or otherwise on adjustment of the position of the feed belt by rotation of the pinions 19 on the shafts 20, 20', that the cement pot 65 will be correspondingly adjusted in the direction of the feed toward and from the label table, the paste pot moving away from the label table as the feed belt moves upwardly, i. e., the larger the diameter of the cans being treated, the greater the distance of the paste pot from the label table.

In order to provide for the adjustment of the glue spotting mechanism relatively to the rack 67 so as to permit change of relation between the belt position and that. of the glue spotting mechanism, I have vided a screw 67 parallel to the rack 67 and preferably placed in bore in the rack. This screw 67 is turned by a hand-wheel 68 on the end of the screw and the screw 67 in turn engages a thread 69 formed in the rack, and there is a swivel connection 68 between the screw and the cement pot, providing for adjustment or change of adjustment of the glue pot relatively to the belt.

The paste spotting rollers 69 which are of pro- negatief the usual type are driven b a belt 70 engag-l ing a pulley 71 fixed ont e shaft 71 connected by gearing 188 to shaft 7 2 which car ries the rollers 69 in pot 65, all said members beiner ment? pot. This belt 70 is in turn driven by and from a pulley 73 on the shaft 17 whic carries the belt pulleys 8 at the feed end of the machine, and in order to take up 'the slack, i. e.,v to maintain the tension of the belt inthe various posit-ions of the appara- I tus, the beltl is in turn engaged by idler pulleys or rollers 74, one engaging each lap of the belt, both pulleys being on the same side of the respective laps of the belt,which.

pulleys or rollers are carried by a swinging. arm 75, which swings about a stud 7 6 on the bearing member 16, the arm being in turn actuated by a coil spring 78 coiled about the stud and engaging at one end the l,hub ofl the arm and at the other end the bearing 16-.pressing the rollers against the Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, I have illustrated `in these figures an improved -form of label feed which is automatically power operated from the drveof the machine and controlled not by the cans but by the height of the label pack. In the present instance the label' curler is utilized for this purpose, i. e., as a means for controlling the label feed in response tothe variation of the thereon a ratchet wheel 90 engaged by collar 98, on pin 99 seated in thel lever arm' y95, the arrangement being similar to that of pawls 91 and 92. The former of these is a locking' pawl pivoted on a pin 93 in the frame of the machineand held normally in engagement by` a 'spring 94, wound about pin 94 seated in the frame and adjusted about thc pin by collar 94 thereon held by set-screw 94 The other pawl 92 is an oscillating or feeding pawl mounted onv the arm 95 to swing about Aa pin 96 in said arm and having a tendency to engage the ratchet imparted to it by the spring 97 mounted on spring 94. y y

The arm .95 is pivoted to swing about shaft 89 and is actuated by an eccentric pin and roller 100, carried on shaft 102 of pulley 101 which is driven by belt 104. -The arm 95- is held down against the roller by gravity and by the spring 103, the stroke of the pawl being sufficient to move the ratchet one tooth for each oscillation when the pawl is in operative position. Both pawls are given a tendency to remain `in constant engagemounted on and moved with the ce' ment with the"VV ratchet by virtue of the springs 94 97, but they are both controlled by a shield or pawl arm 105 secured to shaft 106, parallel toshaft 102. The awl 91 is normally in engagement, being t rown out only when the shield is moved to extreme position by hand, but the pawl 92 is normally held out of engagement with the ratchet 90 by the shield 105. The shaft 106 also carries a bifurcated arm 107 depending from the shaft and xedly'secured thereto as by set-screw 108.- The shield 105 extends upwardly, i. e., it- 'is on the opposite side of the shaft, and is provided at its extreme' upper end with a hook or offset 109 which engages the tail 110 of the pawl 91 when the shield is operated by hand and swung to the right m Figure 5 for this purpose. Undenthese circumstances the shield also `releases the pawl 92, the vvrelease of both pawls in this way permitting the label tablev to be lowered for the reception of a new charge of labels. The shield105, however', controls the pawl 92 at all times, the offset or tail 111 of the pawl being in continuousv engagement with the pawl bearing surface 112 on the shield, and controlled by way of said-shield to operate and feed the label table upward in response to the dropping of the curler bar, which in turn cont-rolsthe .position ofthe shield through and by way of the following mechanism:

vShield 105 is rigidly secured to the shaft 106 which carries the arm 107 also secured thereto and having spaced lugs 113 which are apertured and threaded to receive aligned oppositely disposedfset-screws 114 between which is a depending arm 115 also mounted on shaft 106 and secured in position of adjustment thereon by means of setscrew 116, said arm llbeing definitely posiv tioned relatively to the arml by the setscrews 114 for purposes of adjustment, and

' then further secured to the shaft by the setscrew 116, so that the shield 105 and the lever arm 115 are in effect both rigidly secured to the shaft 106 and to each other, theparts described merely providing relative adjustment. The position of the shaft 106 and of the pawl shield 105 is determined byhthe position of the curler bar through the arm 115, which latter, see Figures 5 and 6, engages by means of a slot 117 a radial arm 118 on the shaft 119, the hub 120 of the arm 118 being enclosed between ears121 adjustably mounted by means of a pin 122 on the end of a depending bracket 123 on theframe ofthe machine. The ears are also apertured to pass the shaft 119 which is guided and supported thereby. The shaft 119, as shown, is provided with a keyway 124 which engages a suitable key in the hub 120, connecting the hub to the shaft for rotation therewith and providing for a sliding motion of the shaft relatively to the hub 120 held by ears 121 on the bracket 123. The shaft 119, as shown see Figuresl, 5, 6, 21 and 22, is provide with two hinged joints, 125 near the lower end and 126, near the upper end and the shaft 119 is provlded with a radially extendin arm 127 havmg a hub 128 on the shaft, pinned or otherwise secured thereto and enclosed between ears 129 mounted on the end of a bracket 130 on the frame to which the ears are connected by a pin 131 passing through the end of the bracket substantially at right angles to the shaft 119, both the pins 131 and the pins 122 permitting the ears to conform to remote from the observer in the directlon of theshaft 119.

Referring now to Figure 18, which is a plan, the position of thev observer being Von the opposite side of the machine to that occupied by the observer in Figures 1 and 3, and the like, and also referring to Figures 2l and 22, the label curler 133, to be more specifically described as to its details, is mounted between the ends of swinging arms 134 which rotateor oscillate upon the curler bar shaft 135 which extends across the machine just in front of the label pack, being mounted at each end in brackets 137, one on each side of the machine secured to the base portions of the carriers 31 which carry the paste rolls 38, the pad 51 and the way 52. The swinging arm 134 on the side of the machine nearest the observer in Figure 1, and Figure 18, is provided with a depending arm 138 integral therewith, see Figure 21, so that the entire member may be referred to as a bell crank lever 139 swinging about the shaft 135 as a centre. The depending arm of the bell crank lever is, as shown, slotted at 140, the slot extending in the direction of a radius from the shaft 135. The arm 127 securedto the upper end of the shaft 119, extending outwardly radially thereof, as already described, 1s passed through the slot 140, so

that all oscillations of the shaft 135 about itsl centre, are communicated to the shaft 119, substantially at right anglesthereto, producing corresponding oscillations of the shaft 119, and in the form of the invention shown the reverse is also true, so thatthe spring 97 pressing against the pawl 92, serves in the proper adjustment of the parts, to transmit a slight tension to the curler bar, tending to keep it in contact with the labels.

In the operation of the machine the label curler rests on the top label of the pack, and moves up and down swinging about the shaft 135 to a slight degree in conformance with the height of the label pack, moving downwardly as the labels are removed. The pawl 92 is shown in engagement with the toothed periphery 90 of the ratchet, but this is the feeding and not-the normal position of the pawl. The pawl is normally held out of contact with the teeth by the operation of the shield 105, as controlled from the label packby the curler 133, the bell crank 139, arm 127, shaft 119, arm 118, arm 115, bifurcated 'arm 107 and shaft 106 which carries the shield 105, which in turn is constantly engaged by the tail 111, more properly described as a shoulder of the pawl 92, the latter being pressed down by the rspring 97, which in theproper adjustment of the parts applies tension to the entire mechanism. The pawl 92 is oscillated continuously about the centre of the ratchet by the action' of the eccentric roller 100 upon the lever arm 95 which swings about the shaft 89 at the centre of the ratchet.

As the labels are removed, being taken up one at a time successively by the cans as they l i pass through the machine, the level of the top of the label pack is lowered to a degree corresponding to the thickness and clearance of the labels, and the curler swings down` ward correspondingly, and the shield 105 which is controlled from the label curler through the train of connections described, the back-lash in which train is taken up by the spring 97, swings slightly in counterclockwise rotation with the shaft 106 and about the centre of said shaft until the point of the pawl 92 enters the path of the teeth of the ratchet 90, when the oscillation of the pawl 92 by the eccentric 100 immediately produces a slight feeding upward of the label table, the ratchet being moved through a slight arc by the action of the pawl 92 and locked after each step of rotation by the pawl 91. During this operation the curler ar is swinging upward-ly and through the mechanism connecting the shield and curler, swinging the shield 105 with the shaft 106 in righthanded or clockwise rotation. After a very slight feeding operation, this motion of the shield moves the pawl 92 out of the path of the teeth of the ratchet 90, and feeding is discontinued until the level of the top label in the pack on which the curler bar rests, is again lowered to a point corresponding to the initial feeding when lthe feeding operation is repeated.

When it is desired to replenish the label supply on the table, the shield is swung in righthanded rotation by means of thehandle 141, see Figure 5, or itl may be otherwise engaged, the swing being sufficient under these circumstances to bring the hook 109 on the end of the shield into engagcmentwith the'y tail 110 of the locking pawl 91.

To prevent feeding of the table while it is lowered for the purpose of replcnishing lthe labels, I have shown a dog 142 secured to the rod 86 at a point normally above the ratchet and capable of being secured tothe rod at various points of adjustment by means of a set-screw 143, the dog 142 having an engaging point 144 to co-operate with a trigger arm 145v on the shaft 106 and serving to hold llh the pawl shieldv in disenga gposition as to the pawl 92, when the ta leis depressed,

reventing feeding motion of the table during the replenishing operation.

I 'have also shown, particularl in Figure 5, an alarm intended to warn t e operator just before the table reaches its uppermost osition when the labels are nearly exausted, calling attention to the condition of the mechanism. This alarm consists of a dog 150shown assecured to the end of the rack 87 by means of a collar 151 and setscrew 152, and being shown as L-shaped, as is the dog 142 previously described, and having an actuating member 158 extending upwardly, and also to the right, see Figure 6, and` adapted to engage the trigger point 153 of a helical spring arm 154 secured to the frame, as by means of a cap-screw 155 to project outwardly therefromland carrying a clapper 156 above and in ,close proximity to a gong 157. When the feeding has progressed to such an extent that the actuating member'158 of the dog engages the trigger passes the actuating member 158 and releases it, the clapper snaps backward and raps the gong, producing the desired signal. l

In Fi ure 23 I have shown a belt presser 159, t e same being mounted in brackets 160, one on each side ofthe machine, and

' moving with the carriage 34. The bracket or follower 160 slides in a slot 161 in the label guide 162 to be described, the said follower being substantially of H-shaped crosssection, as shown in Figure 23', and being formed of a. plate 163 having a projecting `lug 164 to engage the slot 161, and a plate A165 secured thereto on the inside of the label guide to hold the carrier in' position', the parts being coiinected by screw 166 or in any suitable manner. The member 160 is moved back and forth with the paste belt and other parts on the carrier 31 by means of the shaft 135 which is passed through a vertical U- shaped slot 167 in the member 160. The belt presser extends across the label pack from side to side and is pivoted to each said follower 160 by means of studs 168 o`r in any suitable manner, the presser extending from the pivots 168 backwardly, i'. e., in the direction of feed and resting on the belt 29. The belt presser is provided with a U-shaped slot 171 between the belt engaging portion extending upwardly from the bottom where it is open to take over and avoid the curler 133. The paste belt 29 is normally spaced above the labels, avoiding accumulation of paste thereon, and is pressed down on 'the labels by each can as it passes, causing the belt to engage the label just `before the label is picked up. The pressing down of the belt is accomplished by the action of the can in passing, the belt presser being provided with a bump or rotuberance 173 on its upper surface for this purpose, causshown l in ing=a considerable portion of the momentum of the can to be converted into a downward force, which actuates the belt presser as just described.

In Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 I have 70 illustrated three diferent forms of label curler` l As previously known to the art, label curlers havebeen made with a single gripping ed rom si e to side, but some diiicutly has been encountered due to the early failure of this edge due to wear. I have increased the life of the curler bar by providing fromfour to eight gripping edges. The first or regular S" form of curler bar in my machine is square having four gripping edges 176 which are `slotted transversely at 175, Figui-e 11, the

width of the slots 175 determining the amount of paste left on the lap ends of the S5 labels. In the operation of this device there is a thin coating of paste, the bulk of the paste being scraped off by the edges 176 and at intervals a thicker coating in the forni of strips of the width of the grooves 175 and of 90 a length corresponding to the width of the aste belt which is found to be a much more avorable distribution of the paste than any heretofore accomplished.

To further increase the life ofthe 'label 95 bar, I have devised the forms shown in crosssection in Figures 14 and 16, and in plan in Figures 13 and 15, respectively. The improveinent consists in providing in the type edges 178, and in the forni shown in Figure 16, eight contacting edges 179 instead of the four contacting edges of the label curler bar, Figure 12. This is accomplished by turn` ing a pluralityof grooves in the face of a 105 cylindrical member or piece of shafting of the desired diameter of the curler bar. In4

Figure-14 there arev three such grooves 180,

and in Figure 16 the curler bar is formed ofsuch a cylindrical bar or shaft,the grooves being equally spaced about the centre and spaced apart at the periphery by a distance. sufficient to give the required thickness of metal between the engaging edges 7 8 and 79. "1"

It is obvious that in the use of such a curler bar, as shown in Figures 14 and 16, half of the edges turned in one direction, i. e., in the righthanded or lefthanded direction, will become worn much sooner than. the other-half,

and that after a considerable period of use the operation ofthe curler bar may be iinproved by reversing it, taking advantage of the unworn edges.

In Figures 8, 9, cement or glue spotting pot 65 wliereby the cans arespotted with paste prior to picking up the labels. This is also shown in a general way in planin Figs. 2 and 4. The cement is normally solid or semisolid, and becomes 139- e extending across the label packs 75 Figure 14:, six label `contacting" 10U by cuttiiig'four such grooves 181 in the face l!" 10 I have illustrated the 125 v liquid when heated. The pot as formerly used consists of a reservoir at one side of the machine, forming a receptacle in which the hard cement may be placed, and a roller basin beneath the runway which is fed from the reservoir. It has been found undesirable to have the shaft of the rollers submerged, as it tends to accumulate the cement, applying an excess of cement to the cans. It is also undesirable to have partially melted masses of cement admitted to the roller basin,-

-To avoid these and otherfzdiiiculties and to improve the eiiiciency of the cement spotting mechanism, I have revised and reconstructed the same on the improved lines illustrated. .p

The paste pot 65, as aforesaid, consists of a reservoir 185 to receive the solid cement as it is placed in the machine, and a roller basin 186 into which the cement rollers 69 dip, picking up a supply -of liquid cement with which the cans are spotted. To maintain the level of the liquid cement below the shaft, or to keep it from rising to and above the shaft 72, the reservoir 185, see Figures 8, 9 and 10, is made comparatively shallow with the top edges of its sides or walls 187 spaced below the shaft 72, so that whatever quantity of cement is placed in the reservoir 185, the level in the roller basinv cannot be raised above the shaft, as the liquid cement will overiiow the reservoir 185 before the level of the liquid reaches kthe shaft 72. The passage of unmelted cement from the reservoir 185 to the roller basin 186 is prevented by making the passage 188, which connects the two portions of the cement pot, in the form of a narrow slot 188, so that it has the effect of a strainer, checking the tendency of solid unmelted portions of cement and debris to pass from the reservoir to the roller basin.

The rollers 69 have been described as mounted on the shaft 72, which is in turn driven by a belt from the shaft 17 the connection between the shaft 72 carrying the rollers 69 and the pulley 71 being as shown in the form of toothed gears 188 connecting the shaft 72, carrying the rollers and the shaft 71 on which the pulley 71 is mounted.

The cement pot, as shown 1n Figures 9 and 10, is provided with an extension 190 in the direction of the feed, the same having an inclined bottom wall providing for the return to the roller basin of any excessI cement which may be carried over and dropped by the can. The cement pot is heated by means of burners 192 beneath the roller basin or in any suitable manner.

I have also shown in Figures 2, 8 and 9 a drain cock 250 leading from the bottom of the cement pot 65 and provided with a plug valve 251 by which the paste may be drained from the bottom of the pot when desired. In accordance with the previous practice, the

paste-pot has been so arranged that it can be taken out and dumped from time to time. In Figures 3 and 4 I have shown side guides 194 on the far side of the machine vmade in short sections and placed end to end. These are mounted on studs 195 at each end of each can guide, the studs being mounted to slide through the can guide bar 196, the can guides being controlled by helical springs 197 surrounding each stud and seated in sockets 198 in thetbar, each spring bearing on the bottom of its socket and against the rod. The can guide 199 onthe near side of the machine is in the form of a single rod extending from one to the other end of the Vtraverse of the cans mounted on studs 200 at each end, the studs 200 being threaded and passed through upright lugs 201 on the brackets 9 and 10, being adjustable by means of thumb screws 202 and controlled by means of springs 203 coiled about the studs, bearing at one end .against the lugs 201 and at the other against collars 204 pinned on the studs. The desirability of yielding guides to prevent cramping the 'cans 'and means for adjusting the guides in proper alignment are well understood.

eferring now to Figures 18, 19, 20 and 24, illustrating the label guides and the adjusting means therefor, it not infrequently happens that the entire pack of labels is cut or printed irregularly, i. e., with the printing out of alignment with the side edges, and in some instances the edges of the labels are not parallel. The canners adhere to varying standards as to the manner of applying the labels, some require that the label be set with the edges parallel to the edges of the can, and frequently it is required that the printing or picture on the label shall be square with the edges of the can, without regard to the position of the edges of the label. The present device provides an adjustment or a combination of adjustments of the label guides, whereby regularly or irregularly cut labels which are. however, all substantially uniform in each particular pack, may be applied with either edge parallel to the edges of the can, or in case the edges are out of alignment with the printing or the pictures, the labels may be applied with the printing andpictures square with the edges of the can.

Not only have I made the guides adjustable relatively to the machine frame toward and from each other, but I have so arranged the adjusting means that the two guides may be adjusted at each end toward or from each other equally and simultaneously, and either end of either guide may be moved transversely of the machine independently of the other guide.

Referring again to the drawings, the label guides are indicated by reference characters 162, 162', the guide 162 being on the lefthand llO side of the machine facing in the direction of the feed and the guide 162 on the ri hthand side of the machine, it being un erstood that the plan, Figure 18, is reversed in respect to the plans 3 and 4.

The guides 162 and 162 are mounted on and secured to supports 206 and 207 on the op osite sides of the machine 206 on the left and 207 on the right in the direction of feed,

and these supports 206 and 207 are enlarged at each end forming lugs 208, Figure- 24, which are in turn apertured, forming cylindrical downwardly disposed sockets 209, which are apertured to receive and enclose cylindrical nuts 210, which as shown are apertured and threaded transversely at 211 to engage the adjusting screws to be described, and are further slotted vertlcally at f 212 intersecting the apertures 211 to provide an easy engagement of the screws by the nuts, and the lugs 208 are provided with screws, they are placed in alignment` two and two as hereinafter described, and each pair of aligned screws may be locked together to turn together to adjust the guides simultaneously and oppositely. When so locked together each pair of aligned screws forms in effect a single screw or screw-shaft.

Referring to the parts as right andv lefthand, determined by an observer facing 1n the direction of feed, the righthand adjusting screws 218, one at each end of the righthand guide 162', are hollowed out 1n the H1- rection of its axis and provided each w1th a knurled head 219 by which it may be conveniently rotated by hand. This head or a suitable shoulder 220 below the head bears against the side frame 2, the body of the screw extending through a suitable aperture 221 in the frameand being positioned by a pair of lock nuts 220 on the inside of the frame member 2 which are held inposition of 'adjustment by forcing one nut against the other, leaving the contact withv the frame free so the screw Qturns freely in the frame. The adjusting screws 218 engage the nuts 210 carried by the righthand label guide 116 or the support'107 thereof, one atv each end of the support, the adjusting screws, etc., being duplicated at the two ends of the guides 162 and 162. The lefthand label guide 162 is operated by the left- AVeach has an enlarged threaded hand or inside adjusting screws 225 which spring washers 228 which in turn bear against the inside of the' frame. The adjusting screws 225 turn freely in the frame and' ortion 229 which engages the nut 210 in t e aperture 209 in the lug 208 in the end of the support 206 of the lefthand guide 162.v The threaded portion- 229 is discontinued near the centre of the space between the frames 1, 2 and beyond said threaded portion, the screw-member is continued in the form of aA small shaft or pin 230 which extends toward the observer or to the right in the direction of the feed through the hollow or axial opening in the screw 218 extending entirely through the screw and beyond the knurled head 219, the portion of the shaft or rod 230 which projects from the head 219 of the screw 218 being slottedy andprovided witli a second knurled head 231 whichV is connected to the shaft 230 by a pin 232 which is seated in the knurled head 231 and enters the slot 230, and the knurled head 231 is provided with'a pin or key 233 projecting therefrom toward the knurled head 219, and the latter is provided with a vseries of holes 234 on the face toward the head 231to 'receive the pin 233 to lock the knurled head 219 and 231 together, locking the two screws together to rotate simultaneously at the will of the operator.

On examination of the drawing it will be noted that the screws 218 and 229 are similarly threaded, so that when the-screws 218, 225 are locked'togetherby sliding the knurled head 231 along the shaft 230 and pressing it against lthe knurled head 219, causing the pin 233 to enter one of the holes 234, and caused to rotate simultaneouslyin one direction or the other, the label guides 162 and 162 are moved-as to the end of the guides engaged by the particular screw in question laterally of the lmachine without; changing their relation to v'each other whether they are parallel or slightly at an angle.

The desired spacing of the guides is obtained by turning either screw separately to move' either end of either guide.

To move-eitherend of either guide independently of the other guide, tlie knurled head 231 which slides on the shaft 230 is by rotating the thumb nuts or hand-wheels drawn back to the position shown in Fig- 231, and the righthand guide 162 or the end thereof adjacent either of the screws can be moved back and forth transversely of the frame by rotating either hand-wheel or thumb nut 219.

It is thus apparent that the alignment or position of the guides or either of them can e conveniently changed at will by means of the same mechanism with but a slighil shift of the arrangement thereof, and that when the desired relation of the guides is attained, they may be adjusted simultaneously to give any desired angle to the labels.

By reference to Figures 18 and 23 it will be noted that the top edges of the guides 162, 162 form a way for the cans on which they roll over the label pack, picking up the top label by means of a spot of cement previously placed on lthe can. 'It will also be noted that the guide iS slotted at 161 to provide for the motion of the lap end pasting belt 29, curler shaft 135, curler 133, belt presser 159, etc., which move with the paste ot. p The operation of the various mechanisms disclosed have been fully described in connection with the description of the parts and details of the' machine.

I have thus described specifically and in detail a single embodiment of the machine of my invention in order that the nature and operation of the same may be clearly understood; however, the specific terms herein are used descriptively rather than in a limiting sense, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a can labeling machine having a feed belt engaging the cans from above to roll them through the machine, and feed belt pulleys at opposite ends of the machine, means for equally and simultaneously adjusting the feed belt and the feed belt pul-A leys at the opposite ends of the machine up or down to provide for treating cans of different diameters.

2. In a can labeling machine, ways, a feed belt for moving the cans along the Ways, pulleys for said belt at the opposite ends of the machine,.a support for each said pulley mounted to `move up and down, separate means for moving each of said supports up and down, and means connecting said meansl for moving the supports at the opposite ends of the machine together whereby the pulleys at the opposite ends of the machine may be adjusted up and down equally and simultaneously by a single operation.

3. In a can labeling machine, means for feeding` cans through the machine, comprising a feed belt, pulleys at each end of the machine carrying said belt, means supportingV said pulleys adapted to move up and down, means for actuating each of said sup- .nism mounted to move longitudinally of the machine, lap end pasting mechanism, and means supporting the same, so that it may be moved longitudinally of the machine, and actuating means connecting said can spotting mechanism, and said lap end pasting vmechanism, res ectively, to said actuating mechanism at tie opposite ends of the machine and co-operatmg therewith, whereby the spotting mechanism and the lap end pasting mechanism are moved along the machine as the feed belt and pulleys are moved -up and down.

4. In Va can labeling machine a support for the cans and a feed beltfor moving the cans longitudinally of the machine, a pulley for the belt at leach end of the machine, means supporting the pulleys, said supports being mounted for vertical adjustment, a motor for driving one of said belt pulleys, and means for connecting the motor to the pulley, including a telescoping shaft having means for preventing relative rotating motion of the .telescoping parts.

5. In a can labeling machine, a support for the cans and a feed belt for moving the cans longitudinally of the machine, a pulley for the belt at each end of the machine, means supporting the pulleys, said supports being mounted for vertical adjustment, a motor for driving one of said belt pulleys, and means for connecting the motor to the pulley, including a telescoping shaft having means for preventing relative rotating motion of the telescoping parts, and a flexible joint at each end of .the telescoping shaft.

6. In a can labeling machine, a support for the cans and a feed belt for moving the cans longitudinally of the machine, a. pulley for the belt at each end of the machine, means supporting the pulleys, said supports being mounted for vertical adjustment, a motor for driving one of said belt pulleys, and means for connecting the motor to the pulley including a telescoping shaft having the telescoping members square, preventing relative rotating motion of the telescoping parts, and a flexible joint in said shaft.

7. In a can labeling machinea support for the cans and a belt for moving the cans along the support, a pulley forthe belt at each end of the machine, a support for each pulley mounted to move vertically, can spotting mechanism mounted to move longitudinally of the machine, means for driving the can feed belt, a pulley for driving the can' spotting mechanism with a belt driving said pulley and connected to the can feed pulley at two the can spotting mechanism consisting of ulleys engaging the-two stretches of said lt from t e same'side, and means pressing said pulleys against# the belt to maintain the tension thereof as Athe adjust- 'ment of the belt feed pulley and the can spotting mechanism is chan ed.

8. In a can labeling mac ine, a support for the cans and a belt for movin the cans along the su port, a pulley for t e belt at each end of e machine, asupport for each pulley mounted to move vertically, can spottingmechanism mounted to move longitudinally of the machine, means for driving the can feed belt, a pulley for driving the can spotting mechanism, abelt driving said pulley and connected to the can feed pulley at each end of the machine to be driven therefrom, means for tightening said belt driving the can spotting mechanism consisting of an arm, two pulleys mounted thereon engaging the two stretches of said belt from the same side, and means pressing said pulleys against the belt to maintain the tension thereof as the adjustment of-the belt feed pulley and the can spotting mechanism is changed,

means for moving the feed belt pulley supp ports at each end of the machine up and down, and means connecting said means together to moves'ald su rts simultaneously,

adjusting the feedfbet up and down, and

means connecting the can spotting mechanism to. said belt, adjusting means to be actuated thereby, moving the can spotting mechanism along the ways as the feed belt moves up and down.-

9. .In a can labeling machine having a feed belt engaging the cans from above and rolling them through the machine, and means for moving said belt up and down, means for spotting the cans with cement as they pass, and means supporting the same on the machine, permitting the same to be moved in the direction of'feed, and means connecting said Vpaste spotting mechanism to the feed belt adjusting means providing for longitudinal motion of the spotting mechanism as the feed belt is moved up and down.

10. In a can labeling machine having a feed belt engaging the cans from above and rolling them through the machine, feed belt pulleys at each end of the machine carrying said feed belt, a support foreach said pulley, a'nd means for guiding each said support in a vertical direction, and means for moving each said support up and down, means for spotting the cans with cement as they pass, and means supporting the' same on the machine, permitting the same to be moved in the direction of feed, and means connecting said paste spotting mechanism to the feed belt ulley'moving means providing for longitu inal motion of the spotting mechanism as the belt pulleys are moved up and down, and additional means for adjusting said paste spotting mechanism longitudina.ly of the machine and relatively to and independently of said first-mentioned means for adusting the same.

11. n a can labeling machinea can feed belt engaging the cans from above, and rolling them through the machine, a pulley for said belt at each end of the machine, and means for supporting said pulleys, means for guiding the supports vertically, means for moving the support at one end of the machine up and down, adjusting the position of the belt, can spotting mechanism including a glue pot with rollers beneath the path of the cans, and a pulley for rotating the rollers, guides for the same in a'. longitudinal direction, and means connecting the can spotting mechanism to the feed belt pulley to the means for moving the feed belt pulley mechanism, causing said parts to'move longltudinally of the machine as the feed belt pulley is moved up and down.

12, In a can labeling machine, a can feed belt engaging the cans from above and rollin them through the machine, a pulley for sald belt, means for moving the belt and ulley up and down, adjusting the posit-ion of the belt, can spotting mechanism includlng a glue pot with rollers beneath the path of the cans, and a pulley `for rotating the rollers, guides and supports for the same permitting them to be moved in a longitudinal direction, and means connecting the can spotting mechanism tothe means for moving the feed belt, causing said 'parts to 10o move longitudinally of the machine as the feed belt is moved up and down, a pulley connected ,to the Afeed belt pulley to rotate therewith, a belt connecting the same to the pulley on the can spotting mechanism, and los means for applying a yielding tension to said belt to keep it tight when the parts includin'g all feed pulleys are moved to various positions of adjustment.

13. In a can labeling machine. means for 11n feeding cansl through the machine, coxnprising a feed belt, means for moving said belt up and down providing for a. varia- Y tion' in the diameters of the cans, label feed@ ing means and lap end pasting mechanism 1V including a paste belt and a pulley, a vshaft for said pulley extending longitudinally of the machine, and means for connecting said latter pulley'to the means for moving the feed belt whereby the lap end pasting belt and said latter pulley are moved longitudinally of the machine as the feed pulley is moved up and down.

14. In a can labeling machine, a feed belt engaging the cans from above and rolling them through the machine, means for moving the belt up and down, comprising a vertical rack and a pinion, a label support and lap pasting mechanism, the latter being mounted to move longitudinally of the ma- 

